Category: Writing Updates (Page 1 of 3)

Temporary Magic

June 14, 2023 / fionagreywrites

“Hayes,” the man greeted him, and set down his book. He peered over the edge of the counter with wide eyes. “Who’s this?”

“Jimmy, this is Kea, my – my daughter.” He stumbled over the word, and felt the sharp sting of a kick on his ankle.

Jimmy leaned back and gave him a look filled with regret. “I am sorry, but I can’t let her in the building. It’s not bring your daughter to work day and nobody told me, right?”

“It’s all right,” Kea said in a soft, clear voice. She gave the security guard a winning smile. “I can just stay here with you while Dad runs in and grabs what he needs.”

“That’d be lovely,” he agreed, turning to face her.

Just in time to get a handful of golden glitter blown into his face. She smacked her palms together, scattering glowing dust mites onto the floor where they faded against the uneven marble floor.

“Thank you for the guest all-access badge, Jimmy,” Kea said coolly.

He blinked and dug into a drawer filled with a row of badges in a wide rainbow of colors. “Of course.”

Hayes waited until they entered the elevator. “What was that?”

Geo poked his head out from underneath his suit lapel, where he’d hidden in Haye’s shirt pocket. “Jimmy’ll be fine. Stop worrying.”

Kea nodded agreement with the frog. “It’s leprechauns all the way down.”

He threw out a hand and rolled his eyes.

She laughed at his impatient confusion. “Temporary magic.”

The ancient elevator dinged onto his usual floor, for once cooperating with something resembling more speed than a snail on its reluctant way to a medieval battle. He suspected Kea’s silent assistance.

“You’ll be able to do that soon,” she added just as he exited the creaking box of doom.

He caught his stumble against the table, spilling Geo unceremoniously into a flowerpot, as she flounced down the hall toward his office.

***

I’m late! Just a quick snippet today (and apparently switching POV again, whoops – still drinking coffee). Becky inspired this piece with leprechauns all the way down, while nother Mike got my prompt this week, over at MOTE: “You don’t want to know what happens next.”

It’s been rather hectic here, for a number of reasons, but the goal is still to make LibertyCon. Who’s with me?

An administrative note: On the off chance someone reads this and wants to sign up for the newsletter — hahaha, no one signs up for the newsletter, I did it as part of a contract requirement and haven’t sent one in two years — for the time being, you will no longer automatically receive the free download of the Paladin University newspaper interview with June.

Why? Turns out, no one had downloaded it for two years. Plus, generating content is more important than getting all this set up properly as a business — I’m writing again, and Paladin’s Legacy is back in progress— especially since this is a side gig I do mostly for fun. It was enough of a pain to set it up that I’m not going to remove the option on the website, either, because eventually I will need it again and no. I am not going through that again.

The point being, if you sign up for the newsletter and want a copy of the (very) short story, just email me.

Thank you!

March 29, 2023 / fionagreywrites

Thanks to everyone who’s picked up Bonds of Valor, told their friends, and left a review over the past couple of days! I’m having a blast reading it myself.

Would you look at that gorgeous orange tag?

Rob Howell let me know yesterday that “The Coward’s Shadow” won the best story submission. I was shocked, and honored just to be a part of all this.

And here’s a secret. I nearly didn’t submit the story at all. I didn’t think I’d get in, especially since it was conceptually a stretch. Who would ever come to care about a mouse?

Me, that’s who, and I wanted to share her story.

A MidJourney render of Rian abandoning his duties…with a hint of regret making redemption possible.

Interested in submitting to the next anthology? Check out the submission call for Oaths of Valor here.

It’s been a good week. Thank you again.

And now, back to work.

A Snippet

March 21, 2023 / fionagreywrites

From something I’m working on, inspired by Becky Jones‘ prompt: I watched it fade into the distance.

This will be part of a companion prequel to the story I have in Bonds of Valor, releasing 24 March. I loved writing The Coward’s Shadow, and am typing as fast as I can to get the prequel done.

If you’re interested in watching at least one author stumble over her words from nerves, check out the YouTube launch tonight at 7PM Central!

***

A puff of wind blew the gossamer curtain into the solar, carrying with the delicate fabric the sound of clashing metal. Engela glanced out the solar window. Her matchmaking delight faded as she studied the practice fields. “War makes love come faster, child. Now. Let’s talk about putting you to better use. I need a researcher to delve into the archives. Altria needs to expand her options against the Kolung encroachments.”

“I read archaic forms of Altrian,” she offered, wrapping her hands around her skirts. Adacia kept her mouth firmly shut on explaining why. If Engela knew she could peruse the archives, the queen probably already knew Fogfield Province’s sad and pathetic library hadn’t been updated by the last five barons.

“So I hear. And let’s face it, dear…I can get most women to weave better than you, even for bandages. Let’s get you working in an area you’re better suited, shall we?”

***

My prompt went to Cedar Sanderson this week:

Check out more prompt ideas, stories, and methodology discussions over at More Odds Than Ends!

Squee!

December 17, 2022 / fionagreywrites

It was a pretty big week.

And, of course, I had a meeting that prevented me from being able to open this announcement up so I could find out whether I’d been accepted or if it was a consolation notice.

Sometimes a story sticks in your head and expands without conscious thought as it demands to be shared with the world. This was one of those stories. I can’t wait until you can read it.

I don’t know yet if I’ll be able to make FantiSci – will you be there? Let me know! Fingers crossed it will work out.

March is a long time away. Here’s a MidJourney teaser for you in the meantime.

The Great Sponge Expansion

October 18, 2022 / fionagreywrites

“Do you like your new sponge family, Leila?” Admiral Zeke Farmanzeh watched Allie lean down with a shy grin down at their daughter, the same expression that he’d fallen in love with so many years and planets ago.

“I do, Mama,” the little girl said. The pert, upturned nose was the same as when the Cuddly But Trouble had launched, but the smile was now gap-toothed.

Another sign of his little girl getting far too big for his taste, even if her precious, fluffy blue bear the ship was named after still waited on her bunk. Zeke settled most days for being grateful that they’d worked out the gravity well problem. He’d tried listening to the physicists, but – well, he was but an engineer, and all he cared about was that spacers no longer came back weak and brittle. And long term stability – like family life – was possible.

A man could put up with a lot for some stability. It made him forget the stale air and uncertainty of ever returning to Earth.

“These were mine when I was a little girl, you know.” The larger blonde head bobbed closed to his daughter’s curls. They looked so much alike! “We could only bring them because they’re so lightweight, but I wanted you to have them.”

“This is Little’un, and this is Littler’un, and there’s the mama and papa and the dog. They don’t have names yet. Floofbear will help me name them tomorrow.”

His wife gave that smile, the one where she knew she had a secret. “Do you want to see what happens when they go for a dip in the pool? Let’s take them in your bath and find out.”

Water filtration, now that had taken a leap forward, too. Even if they still were on rations, and everyone knew it was recycled water. That ten percent fresh the techies had been able to bring online made a difference. It didn’t taste flat, anymore, even though it tasted the same. Water was water, but indescribably altered.

Zeke pushed himself out of his chair. It pulled itself back into the wall automatically with a whir as he headed for the doorway to watch his girls. These carefree, childlike moments would be increasingly fleeting, especially as Leila continued her advanced studies.

“You see?”

His daughter gave a horrified gasp. “Littler’un was the green sponge! And she’s bigger than Little’un now!”

“And when she dries, she’ll shrink back down again, and fit into her capsule. What do you think, will Little’un fit into his?”

The precious face scrunched in hard thought. “Yes. Because they’re different colors but the same material.”

“Nano sponges will do that, but real sponges that grow in the ocean won’t.”

A giggle. “Sponges are weird.”

“A little bit. Why don’t you join them in the bath?” His wife raised her face to his, and her eyes glittered with mischief. “I think you’re part weird yourself, thanks to your daddy. Don’t you think?”

***

Need context? I always wanted these things to repack themselves into neat capsules. Mostly so I could have reusable fun, of course.

Need part one? Find the intro to Leila here.

This week’s MOTE prompt was a trade with AC Young – Little’un and Littler’un trading in size, and magical dust mores. Check out his detailed response – and more! – out here.

But before you go, how about something completely different? My new short story, Santa Baby, is available for preorder along with a whole anthology of stories. About Santa. As a military operator. Because someone’s got to save the day.

I promise it’s ridiculous, in the best of ways. Cheers!

Thank You!

November 27, 2021 / fionagreywrites

Coming Soon News

November 12, 2021 / fionagreywrites

I’m honored to be a part of an upcoming anthology from Sanderley Studios, centered around hope and healing in the midst of trauma and PTSD.

Once upon a time, a set of books gave me a code when a lot didn’t make sense in the world. Ultimately, I also found purpose. Books aren’t just words on paper.

There aren’t words enough to support those who have fought through their personal hells. But stories are another matter. Stories bring connections. This story was my effort to reach out a hand to those who are too lost to ask for help.

And if the darkness calls out your name, if that seeping void of emptiness lures you inside its stifling boundaries…you are not alone, even though you may not be able to see or sense your brothers and sisters. We’re here regardless, whether you see us or not.

In the United States, the new mental crisis hotline number is 988, nationwide. More US resources listed here. United Kingdom. Australia. Canada. Drop others in the comments section if you know them.

It doesn’t take much to make a difference. Sometimes a few words are enough, when they’re the right words.

I hope you enjoy The Way the World Ends, my short story in the Can’t Go Home Again anthology. It’ll be available in ebook format 20 November. Here’s the story blurb:

Klad Rieger isn’t a soldier to stop and smell the roses. Scent is mere sensory data when flowers are crushed beneath his boots on his way to the next mission. And the next. And the next, until it blurs into an endless haze of haunting purpose. But when the Empire abandons him, can he find the strength for one final mission?

And here’s the cover, which somehow managed to capture Klad precisely, down to the haunted expression. I couldn’t have described it to you if I’d tried, but it’s perfect.

Check out more details – and a lighter adult coloring book, now available – from Sanderley Studios here.

Too Far and Not Far Enough

September 1, 2021 / fionagreywrites

This post was removed by the author as part of its integration into Professor Porter’s story.

***

MOTE

Today’s Book Two Research

August 29, 2021 / fionagreywrites

I figured a few things out over the weekend, with several plot problems finally resolved. Woo! I’m excited.

Of course, there were several issues that immediately arose, but research is my happy place. Here are a few of today’s searches:

Late 1800s geographic & soil composition maps of New Hampshire
Famous computer scientists from NH (search results were…interesting. Google, are you okay?)
Abandoned mines New Hampshire
Effects of sunlight deprivation
Buffalo chicken dip recipes

The last one might not be relevant to Paladin’s Legacy. Who could say?

Oh, and I finally got around to naming the buildings. Paladin University is using its recent expansion for some growth.

And please. Let’s not talk about the map of Lost Creek itself just yet. There might still be a lot of empty space to fill besides the campus, a graveyard, June’s apartment, and her beloved Athena diner.

Current campus map, made by a geographically-challenged author.
June’s office is on the second floor of the Hale Building, directly over the end of the word “lower.”

And now, back to actual writing.

But Ghouls Don’t DO That

August 6, 2021 / fionagreywrites

Let’s talk about research.

This is the part where most people back quietly away, eyes twitching while their feet seek the nearest exit at speed. Meanwhile, I’m rubbing my hands together with glee. Writers search the best and weirdest topics, often all in a slew of odd searches, one after the other as tangents spark ideas down the rabbit hole.

For instance:

Are magnolias poisonous? (No, or at least insufficiently that plot idea was out.)
What do magnolias smell like? (Different depending on the type and time of year.)
Washers at the ford legend (Check out these death omen song lyrics.)
What do ghouls eat? (Disputed, but…do you really want to know?)

That doesn’t mean the story that spits itself out of my head via the keyboard will be technically accurate in all details. I’m writing fiction here, after all. Too much reality is boring. Plus, half the time the story’s about a creature that a) does not exist and b) has at least fifteen different versions of the story.

Case in point: Halima found comfort in cinnamon sticks in The Fire Crown, because some phoenix legends say their nests are built from warming spices.

But I do want to know where I go wrong, and try to make a deliberate and conscious choice.

So yes. I am aware that ghouls are very, very different from zombies. Bite transmission is not a thing.

But Grave Girl needed “you’re my girl” to become “you’re my ghoul” for the play on words to work, so I took some liberties.

I do, however, offer my sincere apologies to any ghouls reading this.